Globalization has made speed, efficiency, and flexibility necessities for logistics companies looking to prosper in the 21st century. A common denominator among these characteristics is effective logistics communication, which has become increasingly difficult as managing supply chains has become more complex.
Communication in Logistics Management During a Crisis
Logistics management is complicated enough. Now, with the COVID-19 crisis that brought the global economy to a standstill, logistics management has faced major setbacks such as:
- Disrupted supply chains
- Difficulty sourcing raw materials
- Higher border security
- Lack of available transport
Digital tools are enabling businesses to become more agile and flexible. Digital enablement for frontline workers is critical to proper logistics management right now.
Mobile solutions provide an answer by streamlining logistics communication and addressing key challenges companies face in the globalized economy. By tackling the following challenges head-on, logistics companies can resolve a communication problem in supply chain and speed past issues that may slow down their competitors.
1. Create Transparent in Communication
When speed is valued more than ever, there is no room for hoarding information or keeping it out of the purview of frontline employees. Even more, a truly global business needs to have a single point of access for all of its supply chain information so that partners can execute efficiently.
And just like any company that blissfully ignored the Internet at the turn of the century, the ones that dismiss the Internet of Things risk getting left behind.
2. Facilitate Real-Time Communication
Lags in communication can cause a cascade of problems across a logistics company’s supply chain, lowering efficiency and increasing costs. Timely demand planning, communication and team collaboration between suppliers and customers ensures that supply is always meeting demand. Thus, instant messaging for business and mobile solutions are a must to keep operations in sync.
Enterprise messaging enables real-time communication, giving your employees, and management the time they need to react to changing conditions. Not only do mobile solutions like Beekeeper allow for 1:1 messaging and group chats, but they also have streams where users can post updates. This makes your logistics communication more efficient.
3. Enable Collaboration With Network-Based Communication
Before, logistics companies focused on their geographic markets, independently making decisions on a day-to-day basis. Today, logistics companies are global organizations that work in interdependent, networked economies.
This new paradigm requires collaboration and cooperation across the supply chain, instead of focusing on zero-sum competition. All aspects of the supply chain must be securely connected and communicate effectively in order to survive.
To facilitate the team collaboration required, it’s important to use the right tools for internal communications. Mobile solutions allow workers to communicate in real-time, connecting everyone from frontline employees to corporate offices.
4. Ensure Secure Communication Transmission
Logistics communication often deals with sensitive information. Moving data and numbers over a well-trafficked network can be risky for logistics companies, especially if the communication involves international cargo and crossing borders.
For these reasons, it’s important that logistics communication be supported by a mobile software provider that can ensure data security. With 256-bit TLS data encryption, regular security audits, advanced firewalls, and ISO 27001:2013 certified data centers, Beekeeper is a platform designed for secure data transmission.
5. Automate Routine Procedures to Reduce Complexity
There are so many moving parts involved in logistics communication. One communication problem in supply chain management can quickly snowball and disrupt an entire shipment or workflow.
- Fleet management
- Supply ordering
- Scheduling
- Sourcing and procuring materials
- Customer relations
Logistics communication involves complex coordination among different departments and workers within an organization for both outbound and inbound shipping and receiving. A mobile solution allows internal stakeholders to automate some of these business processes and communication to simplify logistics management, keep workflows moving and stay on schedule.
Communication Is Key When Optimizing Logistics Networks
When addressing communication challenges in the logistics industry, it’s important to remember to avoid the quick and easy fix and prepare for the future by taking an integrated, omnichannel approach to optimization.
In order to do this, you need to understand your business goals and evaluate how each component of your business is serving those goals. Then, take into account how upgrades, new technology, mechanization, or better communication processes will enhance your ability to achieve those goals.
With razor-thin margins in a fast-paced industry, logistics companies must adapt to this new, globalized order. This means focusing on team collaboration instead of competition, and open networks instead of closed markets. Studies show that good communication flows are crucial to operating a thriving logistics company and staying ahead of the pack.
Download our white paper “The Ultimate Operations Management Strategy for Frontline Workforces” for more tips and tricks on how to streamline your workflow!
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Most Frequently Asked Questions
How do you communicate in logistics?
Mobile solutions are great ways to combat the bottlenecks of logistics. They provide an answer by streamlining logistics communication and addressing key challenges companies face in the globalized economy.
Is communication an element of logistics?
Yes, communication is extremely important in every department of a company and this also applies to the logistics department.
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